Umbrella Family at
Helen Detwiler

Service Delivery

This program is licensed to accommodate kindergarten children (48 months to 68 months) and school age children (68 months to 12 years).

Child care services are available from 7:00 am until the morning school bell rings, and again at the end of the day from the time the dismissal bell rings until 6:00 pm.

Our extended day programs provide children with a balance of activities that promote healthy growth and development in all domains… gross and fine motor, speech and language, cognition, self-help skills, social and emotional development…at their own pace!

Curriculum

The starting point for curriculum in the Umbrella programs is the belief that children are curious, capable and they learn best by pursuing their own interests and goals in a carefully designed learning environment.

Educators view themselves as co-learners with children, listening carefully to children’s thoughts, providing materials and posing questions to allow children to explore, solve problems and draw conclusions. Children’s thinking and learning is recorded by educators through photographs and written observation and posted in the program for the review and consideration of both children and adults.

Staff members use the document “How does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years” as set out by the Ministry of Education, as a guide in supporting developmentally appropriate practice. This document includes expectations for programs centered on four foundations that are considered to be key ingredients for optimal learning and healthy development. These foundations are: Belonging, Well Being, Engagement and Expression. Goals for children include:

Every child has a sense of belonging when he or she is connected to others and contributes to their world.

Every child is developing a sense of self, health, and well-being.

Every child is an active and engaged learner who explores the world with body, mind, and senses.

Every child is a capable communicator who expresses himself or herself in many ways.

The four foundations for learning are implemented in the Umbrella Family curriculum and the Umbrella Family Vision, Mission and Core Values statements closely align with these.

Snacks/Lunch

Children are provided with nutritious snacks each morning (before the school bell rings) and after school each day. Snack menus are posted in the Parent Information Area and are also available to parents through newsletters and this website.

On PA days children are required to bring a bag lunch from home, which is supplemented with milk and fresh fruit.

Extended Day Programs

Care for children who are attending Kindergarten and School Age Programs

Before & After School

Child care services are available from 7:00 am until the morning school bell rings, and again at the end of the day from the time the dismissal bell rings until 6:00 pm.

Programs During School Breaks

Programs for Kindergarten and School Age children are offered in select schools during school break periods. (i.e. PA Days, Christmas, March Break, Summer.) If these programs are not available in your child’s school, you will be offered care in another nearby school. Children are accepted on a first come, first served basis.

Location

Our program is located within Helen Detwiler Elementary School at 320 Brigade Drive, Hamilton, ON.